The 'Third Thumb' Allows Users to Extend Their Natural Abilities

Dani Clode, a graduate of the Royal College of Design, created a controllable prosthetic thumb.

Known as the 'Third Thumb,' this device was created by Clode to help destigmatize the wearing of prosthetics and promote the idea that they can actually serve us better by functioning as ability-extending devices. This controllable prosthetic thumb is put in motion by two motors pulling the thumb in various positions from its hinges. The Third Thumb operates by the movement of the wearer's feet from pressure sensors in their shoes.

People today already have an inherent connection between their hand and their feet (think of the pedals on a car or a sewing machine) so for Clode, it seemed natural to have the movement of the Third Thumb be controlled by the foot.